2018 GMC Acadia problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Acadia, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
303
Recalls
2
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Median mileage
41,594 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 125 of 303 complaints (41%).
  • Electrical System (79) and engine (29) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 41,594 mi.
  • Owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries.
  • The 2018 GMC Acadia has 2 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 4th of 20 GMC Acadia model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 36% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (475).

2018 GMC Acadia problems by category

  • 125 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    95 complaints
  • Electrical System · 3 crashes
    79 complaints
  • Engine · 3 crashes
    29 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    22 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    18 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    18 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    8 complaints
  • Suspension · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    4 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Airbags
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train113
Unknown or other95
Electrical system77
Engine28
Steering22
Service brakes17
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift9
Fuel/propulsion system5

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k2710k–30k4230k–60k1460k–100k11100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 GMC Acadia complaints that list mileage.

2018 GMC Acadia recalls (2)

  • Recall 18V358000May 31, 2018895 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

    Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

  • Recall 17V516000Aug 22, 20172,905 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.

    Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2018 GMC Acadia SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
2018 GMC Acadia SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2018 GMC Acadia complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 29, 2026PAElectrical SystemEngine
    I get error electric Steering assist reduced or unavailable drive with care at around 84234 miles on my car . Upon looking up problem on Internet it has to do with the Thermostat. I also found where Gm has a bulletin N252508350 which only seems to cover certain vehicles with the same problem. This seems to happen at all different miles driven on vehicles. I don't see how Gm can get away with only fixing certain vehicles with this safety problem when it shuts down the…
    NHTSA complaint #11767917 · source
  2. Filed Sep 22, 2026112,300 miOHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the temperature gauge remained at zero. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed high-pressure fuel pump. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11766205 · source
  3. Filed Sep 11, 2026VAEngine
    The car will frequently but not always fail to shut off when the start/stop button is pushed while in Park. The message "shift to park" come up on the display and a yellow light comes on in the button. I have to restart the engine and it often takes as many as 10 attempts to finally shut off the engine. Between each attempt I have to shift the transmission out of park and back into park. This has been happening for more than a month.
    NHTSA complaint #11763610 · source
  4. Filed Aug 10, 202610,000 miTNTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The gear shifter was moved back and forth, then shifted into park (P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the gear shifter was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the gear shifter, switch, and harness were…
    NHTSA complaint #11755898 · source
  5. Filed Jul 21, 202680,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after parking and then attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message " Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be parked and turned off successfully after various attempts, which included restarting the vehicle and engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…
    NHTSA complaint #11751749 · source
  6. Filed Jul 12, 2026FLOther / Unknown
    When trying to put car in park a "shift to park" notice appears on dashboard not allowing the car to be turned off. It takes multiple attemps be able to get the car into park and turn OFF. This has been an ongoing problem for several years and reported to the dealer. To date the dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with the car. Battery has been changed multiple times.
    NHTSA complaint #11749867 · source
  7. Filed Jul 9, 2026MAOther / Unknown
    While driving the temperature gauge drops from normal to cold , the dash displays " steering assist reduced" and the fan is very loud . My mechanic said the thermostat and or sensor needs to be replaced . When he resets with the reader its good for about a week and temperature gauge is normal. After seven days it repeats I only have 40,000 miles on the vehicle and its a 1,400 dollar job. I believe this should be a recall because i have seen a lot of the same complaints in…
    NHTSA complaint #11749432 · source
  8. Filed Jul 7, 2026MASteering
    When I’m driving on the highway, I get a message on my dashboard saying steering assist reduced, drive with care. I have taken to the GMC dealership and they will not cover this repair even though it would be covered for 2021 GMC. When this happens, my car makes a loud noise and my steering wheel does not feel right. I do not feel safe.
    NHTSA complaint #11748910 · source

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Other 2018 GMC models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology